Someone recently said to me that she had never had fried apples. I could have caught flies, my mouth gaped so much. It never occurred to me that this would be something unusual. I make fried apples a lot, often in the fall, and often to go with pork. My mom and grandma made them often when I was a kid too. They’re just as good as baked apples, but quicker. And sometimes when you feel like your head might explode if you have to come up with another vegetable your kids will eat for dinner, this is an excellent solution.
It is incredibly easy. For the apples in this photo, I used two apples. I cored them, then cut them into thirds (to make rings). I put some olive oil and butter in the pan (maybe 1 tbsp butter with a swirl of olive oil). Sprinkle the apples with a tablespoon or two brown sugar and a 1/2 tsp or so cinnamon. Add a sprinkle of salt on top. Cover and cook over medium heat. Once the apples are browning on the bottom, flip them over and cover again. Sometimes I will flip a third time to get all that cinnamon-y goodness all over both sides. They’re done when the white part of the apple is soft and getting mushy.
Add more (or less) sugar and cinnamon depending on how sweet you like things. You can’t fit much more than 2 apples per skillet, so you need to do batches or cook with two pans to do more.
Martha and Me 
I’ve never had fried apples either–who knew it was so easy? So do you serve this with ice cream then? Crepes?
I’ve done this with apple wedges, never rings… maybe it’s a regional thing?
I’ve never had fried apples either. They sound cinnalicious! 🙂
And here I grew up thinking everyone made these!
Maybe. I think they look prettier and hold together better with rings.
No, it’s part of the main meal. It goes well with pork. I’ve also had it with chicken, but pork is where it works best I think. Pork roast, pork chops, pork tenderloin, you name it.
I, too, have never fried apples – never even thought of frying apples.
I remember those horrid spiced apple rings my mother would try to make us eat. They come from a can or jar, I think. This sounds soooooo much better. I’ll have to give it a try.
I grew up on an apple farm, and we never had fried apples either! Apple pies and apple crisp were all the rage with us. And I remember we used to put salt on fresh apples, which seems bizarre to me now and not at all appealing. But I’m onboard with anything fried, so I’ll give this recipe a try. 🙂
Wow, maybe this is something that is very localized or maybe my grandmother came up with it. I always do add a little salt to my apple dishes, but I don’t think I would like it plain on an apple!
Ew! I didn’t know they came in a jar! This will be nothing like that, I promise!
I love this idea. I’ve never thought of making fried apples before. We eat a lot of apples in our house. This would be a fun treat!
Count me as another one who has never had fried apples. But now, I will. I love apples and am always looking for different ways to prepare them. I’d serve this hot with a big scoop of ice cream over the top!
I’ve had baked apples, braised apples, stewed apples, and dried apples. Never fried apples. Intriguing.
Don’t worry. I’ve had fried apples and I love them. Delicious!
Well then I’m not the only one!
This is new to me also – and I can’t wait to make it.
The chain restaurant “Famous Dave’s” serves a warm apple dish as a side that we love. This will be fun to compare but you can’t go wrong…apples & cinnamon,
butter, oh yeah!!!!
I’ve never heard of Famous Dave’s! I think they have something at Cracker Barrel that is a warm apple side dish.